Abused, abandoned street-corner dog gets new home

Lulu spent months living on a street corner in Fountain Valley. Very likely abused and abandoned – and definitely skittish – the sandy, short-haired Chihuahua mix survived, barely, thanks to residents and business owners who gave her whatever food they had on hand – cashews, pieces of hamburger and candy.

Yet, rescue efforts were futile: Every time someone approached, Lulu would dash away.

That is, until a joint effort between an independent dog rescuer and a would-be adopter succeeded in capturing Lulu two weeks ago. Emaciated and battered, Lulu was whisked to the Plaza Pet Hospital in Lake Forest.

On Saturday, the 4-year-old dog was released from the hospital. Her new owner, Penelope Nichols, 40, of Huntington Beach, scooped Lulu into her arms and took her to her new family, complete with four children and another dog – a happy ending for Lulu, who was on the edge of death two weeks ago.

"She looks so much stronger than she did when she first came (to the hospital)," Nichols said.

No one knows the circumstances of Lulu's past and how she came to live on the corner of Euclid and Newhope streets in Fountain Valley. But the veterinarian discovered just how sick Lulu was.

She had developed pancreatitis, the product of too much human food. When her belly was shaved for surgery, the vet saw that Lulu was covered in bruises. Then, during surgery, the vet discovered that Lulu's uterus was "three times the size of one belonging to a female in heat," said Chris Ruiz, the veterinarian's assistant.

Lulu had pyometra, an infection in which pus accumulates in the uterine cavity. If her uterus had ruptured, Lulu would have died within minutes.

"We removed the uterus. She's doing much better," said Dr. Sakyun Lee, who has owned his own practice for 30 years and often helps care for stray animals at his own cost.

Lee likely would not have been able to save Lulu if not for the efforts of Nichols and Mona Tehrani, co-founder of "DogTag: You're It," an independent rescue organization that finds and captures strays and then arranges for foster or adoptive homes. Tehrani has been rescuing dogs for about four years.

"She was in such bad shape," Tehrani said. "It's so sad that these dogs are treated this way."

Tehrani first heard about Lulu three weeks ago from a friend. She decided to find and rescue Lulu. At the same time, Nichols had heard about Lulu as well and wanted to adopt her. A nearby business owner told her that Tehrani was going to try to rescue the dog, and Nichols made it a point to be there.

"I wanted to feel (Tehrani) out, make sure she was legitimate," Nichols said.

After speaking for a while, the two decided that Nichols would be a good fit for Lulu.

Nichols spent a week gaining Lulu's trust by feeding her hamburger meat. Then, in the early morning of Jan. 20, before traffic picked up, Nichols drove to the street corner with a playpen-like enclosure. She placed hamburger in the center of the pen and waited. About 45 minutes later, Lulu, who had been circling the enclosure nervously, entered. Nichols closed the gate.

"When I saw her walk in, I was like, 'Wow, she's in,' " Nichols said.

Two weeks later, Lulu has gained weight. Her eyes are brighter. She is more alert. And though she has to continue taking antibiotics and remain in a kennel to rest, Lulu should be bouncing around her new home in no time.

"The family is so excited to have her," Nichols said. "We're so excited to take her home."

For more information on how to donate to "DogTag: You're It" or become a foster or adoptive parent to a stray, call Plaza Pet Hospital at 949-581-7979 and ask for Chris Ruiz.